On November 28 1864, an expedition of 5,500 Union soldiers, sailors and marines, including the 102nd U.S. Colored Troops (originally the First Michigan Colored Regiment), sailed for the Broad River. While Union forces marched and countermarched, Confederates dug into their earth and log fortifications on Honey Hill, a rocky ridge that blocked the road the expedition needed to travel to reach its objective.

On Christmas Day 1965, Sherm Poppen grabbed a pair of kid’s skis and fastened them together, quickly creating a makeshift toy that he hoped would keep his girls entertained. His invention would ultimately change the winter sports landscape.